Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings Can Make Him Fit The Avengers’ Most Powerful Team

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings could reveal Shang-Chi using the power of the Ten Rings to become one of the strongest new Avengers. In the new Marvel Cinematic Universe project, actor Simu Liu plays Shang-Chi, the titular Master of Kung Fu. In the film, Shang-Chi must face his past when his criminal father, Wenwu (Tony Leung), the real-life Mandarin, wants his son to follow in his evil ways. But Shang-Chi has a different path in mind. Instead, he chooses to turn his back on his father, and the decision apparently leads to the fight of his life. In addition to Simu Liu, the film also stars Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, and Michelle Yeoh.

One of the main tasks of Marvel’s Phase 4 is building a new Avengers team. Avengers: Endgame was one last hurrah for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. In the film, both Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow died; Chris Evans’ Captain America decided to live out his years in the past; and the remaining Avengers, such as Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk, seemed to go their separate ways. However, because of the film’s events, Marvel will be slowly building a new superhero team to defend the Earth. With the likes of Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) in the mix, all indications are that the Avengers will be more powerful than ever.

Shang-Chi can fit in perfectly with the new Avengers. In Marvel’s comics, the Ten Rings give their master immense powers, including the ability to manipulate different matter and energy. While it’s unknown how much Shang-Chi will stick to its comic book origins, trailers for the upcoming film have already teased the power of the Rings. One Shang-Chi TV spot even notes that the Ten Rings are stronger than Mjolnir. Marvel has already teased Shang-Chi wielding the Ten Rings, so it appears he could become one of the strongest new Avengers.

Shang-Chi has all the makings of a character that can go toe-to-toe with Marvel’s new heroes. After excellent displays of power by Captain Marvel and Scarlet Witch in Endgame, it seems like the powers of any new hero would pale in comparison. However, by establishing that the Ten Rings are stronger than Mjolnir and most other items in the MCU, Marvel sets up Shang-Chi as an equal. Also, in Marvel’s comics, the Ten Rings each have specific and devastating abilities. Thus far, Shang-Chi has teased the Rings working together to enhance a character’s power. However, considering the Ten Rings’ comic book background, the items could potentially hold more secret powers down the road.

Of course, Marvel could also take Shang-Chi in a different direction. With the Mandarin already wielding the Ten Rings for villainous purposes, Shang-Chi could choose to walk away from the powerful weapons and rely on his own abilities in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. In the comics, Shang-Chi is more of a martial artist and a master of Kung-Fu. Much like Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and his bow and arrows, those powers don’t always stack up well compared to other Avengers’ cosmic abilities. However, Hawkeye clearly had a successful story in the MCU, even getting spun off into his own Marvel series on Disney+. Whether or not Shang-Chi will use the Ten Rings to power the MCU’s future remains to be seen.

About The Author

Bill Bradley
(524 Articles Published)

Bill is an experienced reporter who’s covered entertainment and fandom since 2014. He’s done everything from unearthing the discarded Game of Thrones pilot script in a library in Texas to finding out why Steve left Blue’s Clues. He also enjoys eating Taco Bell and drinking chocolate milk.

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